With just N1.788 billion raked in as revenue in nine months, there are strong indications that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Niger/Kwara/Kogi Area Command may not be able to meet its N3.7 billion revenue target for this fiscal year.
This is despite the command’s efforts targeted at curbing smuggling and other trade and economic vices within its coverage area. Only this week, the Command hinted that it apprehended six suspected smugglers and recorded 23 seizures within the last nine months.
Briefing journalists on the activities of the Command on Wednesday in Minna, Niger State, the Area Controller, Alhaji Abba Kassim Yussuf, disclosed that the command generated the highest amount of revenue between August and October this year with an income of N791,240,411.70k.
Yussuf maintained that the Command was struggling to achieve the maximum revenue target, noting that though it may be difficult, but that it will do its best.
He confirmed that the cases of those apprehended were already before the law courts.
Making further clarification on the seized contrabands, the Area Controller said that the major seizures comprised one used Toyota Camry car with duty paid value of N3.5 million, 12 bales of second hand cloths with a duty paid value of N430,000, one used Volkswagen Golf valued at N180,000, one each of Toyota Avensis, Toyota Rav 4, as well as 934 (50kg) bags of imported foreign rice with duty paid value of N160,066,700.
In addition, Yussuf said that one trailer containing unspecified number of smuggled imported rice was seized, adding that the duty paid value of the smuggled commodity was being computed.
He charged Nigerians to desist from the importation of rice and vehicles through the land borders, warning that whoever violates the law on the banned items would be arrested and prosecuted.
The area controller commended his officers and men of the command, assuring them that the dedicated ones would be rewarded, while undisciplined staff would be punished.
